Overview
The Bible addresses meribah across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Exodus and Numbers. Closely related themes include Rocks, Water, Prayer, Answers To and Murmuring.
Key Bible verses about meribah
Old Testament
Exodus
And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?
Numbers
This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.
Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying meribah for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 17:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Exodus and Numbers each treat the theme.
- Widen the study to related themes: Rocks, Water, Prayer, Answers To and Murmuring.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about meribah?
The Bible addresses meribah across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Exodus and Numbers. Closely related themes include Rocks, Water, Prayer, Answers To and Murmuring.
How many Bible verses are about meribah?
The Bible references meribah in 9 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention meribah?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 17:1: “And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.”
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